(pinta), a vessel, or measure, used in estimating the quantity of liquids, and even sometimes of dry things.—Budaeus derives the word from the Greek πίναξ; others from the German pint, a little measure of wine; Nicod from the Greek πίνω, "to drink."

The English pint is twofold; the one for wine-measure, the other for beer and ale-measure. See MEASURE.—Two pints make a quart, two quarts a pottle, two pottles a gallon, &c. See GALLON, QUART, &c.

The Scots pint was formerly regulated by a standard jug of cast metal, the custody of which was committed to the borough of Stirling. This jug was supposed to contain 105 cubic inches; and though after several careful trials it has been found at a medium to contain only about 103½ inches, yet, in compliance with established custom, founded on that opinion, the pint-stoups are still regulated to contain 105 inches.—It was enacted by James I. of Scotland, that the pint should contain 41 ounces Trone-weight of the clear water of Tay, and by James VI. that it should contain 55 Scots Troy-ounces of the clear water of Leith. This affords another method of regulating the pint, and also affords the ancient standard of the Trone-weight. As the water of Tay and Leith are alike, the Trone-weight must have been to the Scots Troy-weight as 55 to 41; and therefore the pound Trone must have contained about 21½ ounces Scots Troy. See TRONE.—The Scots pint contains two chopins, the chopin two mutchkins, and the mutchkin four pills.—Two pints make a quart, and four pints a Scots gallon.